US20060246185A1 - Easy-open sausage package - Google Patents
Easy-open sausage package Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060246185A1 US20060246185A1 US11/120,421 US12042105A US2006246185A1 US 20060246185 A1 US20060246185 A1 US 20060246185A1 US 12042105 A US12042105 A US 12042105A US 2006246185 A1 US2006246185 A1 US 2006246185A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- seal
- package
- unsealed
- peel
- peel seal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
- B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
- B65D75/36—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet or blank being recessed and the other formed of relatively stiff flat sheet material, e.g. blister packages, the recess or recesses being preformed
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2575/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D2575/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by association or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
- B65D2575/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D2575/36—One sheet or blank being recessed and the other formed or relatively stiff flat sheet material, e.g. blister packages
- B65D2575/361—Details
- B65D2575/362—Details with special means for gaining access to the contents
- B65D2575/365—Details with special means for gaining access to the contents partially or totally releasing one sheet from the other
Definitions
- the invention relates to plastic packages for food items, more particularly, to a reclosable, plastic package for sausages that includes a hermetic peel seal, one or more unsealed sections to facilitate opening of the package and a closure mechanism that allows the package to be reclosed after it has been opened.
- Smoked sausages can have curved or straight shapes.
- One previously known package of smoked sausages includes two curved sausage pieces or links, which are held in a cavity between two plastic sheets attached by a continuous radiant seal (formed by heat and vacuum).
- a contact or peel seal formed by heat and pressure) surrounds the radiant seal.
- a consumer opens the top of the package to gain access to the sausages. These seals are typically continuous. Opening the package, however, can be difficult given the manner in which the plastic sheets are sealed together. Sometimes, the consumer will be able to manually open the top of the package with minimal damage to the package. Other times, however, the consumer must resort to cutting implements, such as scissors and knives, in order to break the radiant seal and open the package.
- the opened package may not be suitable for further use.
- known sausage packages typically do not provide a closure mechanism that allows sausages to be saved in the package for later consumption.
- any remaining sausages are typically stored in the opened or torn bag, for example, by folding over the plastic top to close the top of the package.
- Extra sausages may also be stored in a separate container.
- the appearance of known sausage packages can also be improved. More particularly, when using known sealing techniques, purge or juices from the sausages is squeezed through various portions of the package, and are visible to consumers through the clear plastic sheets, thus providing a sausage package that is not particularly visually appealing due to the distributed purge.
- a double seal is sometimes used in these types of packages to protect against the development of a channel or leak, but a single seal may be sufficient if it is applied properly.
- the pizza package that is described in the published application is not designed for sausages and sausages having arcuate shapes. Additionally, the pizza package that is described does not address confining or collecting purge or juices from sausages within a particular area to provide a more visually appealing sausage package.
- the package should be easier to open than known sausage packages.
- the package should also not be damaged in order to access the sausages. Further, if necessary, it should be possible to utilize a closure mechanism to re-close an undamaged package to store any leftover sausages.
- the package should provide allow for more aesthetically pleasing presentation of sausages.
- a sausage package includes a first sheet, a second sheet, a radiant seal, a peel seal, and a closure mechanism.
- the first sheet defines a cavity for holding a sausage.
- the second sheet which can be flat, is applied over the first sheet to cover the cavity and the sausage.
- the radiant seal is formed between the first and second sheets to seal the sausage in the cavity
- the peel seal is formed between the first and second sheets and around the radiant seal.
- a reclosable seal extends across the tops of the first and second sheets and above the peel seal.
- One or more unsealed pockets are defined between the peel seal and a bottom of the reclosable seal to facilitate opening of the package. After the package is opened, it may be re-closed.
- a package for a plurality of sausages includes first and second sheets, radiant and peel seals, and a reclosable seal.
- the first sheet defines a cavity for holding the sausages, and the second sheet is applied over the first sheet to cover the cavity and the sausages.
- the radiant seal is formed between the first and second sheets to seal the sausages in the cavity
- the peel seal is formed between the first and second sheets and around the radiant seal.
- the reclosable seal extends across the tops of the first and second sheets and above the peel seal.
- One or more unsealed pockets are defined between the peel seal and a bottom of the reclosable seal.
- an unsealed area is defined between the radiant seal and the peel seal. The one or more unsealed pockets and the unsealed area facilitate opening of the package, which can be re-closed with the reclosable seal after the peel and radiant seals are broken.
- a package for a plurality of curved or arcuate sausages includes first and second sheets, radiant and peel seals, and a reclosable seal.
- the sheets define a package having a length that is different from its height.
- the first sheet defines a cavity for holding the arcuate sausages, and the second sheet is applied over the first sheet to cover the cavity and the arcuate sausages.
- the radiant seal is formed between the first and second sheets to seal the arcuate sausages in the cavity, and the peel seal is formed between the first and second sheets and around the radiant seal.
- the peel seal includes left, central and right sections. The left and right peel seal sections extend downwardly from the central peel seal section to opposite sides of the package.
- One or more unsealed pockets are defined between the peel seal and a bottom of the reclosable seal, and an unsealed area is defined between the central peel seal section and the radiant seal.
- the one or more unsealed pockets and the unsealed area facilitate opening of the package, which can be re-closed with the reclosable seal.
- a package for a food item includes first and second sheets and radiant and peel seals.
- the first sheet defines a cavity for holding the food item, and the second sheet is applied over the first sheet.
- the radiant seal is formed between the first and second sheets to seal the food item in the cavity, and the peel seal is formed around the radiant seal.
- One or more unsealed pockets are defined above a portion of the peel seal that extends across the width of the package, the one or more unsealed pockets facilitating opening of the package.
- an unsealed area is defined between a central peel seal section and the radiant seal.
- an unsealed area is defined between the radiant seal and the peel seal.
- the top of the unsealed area can be defined by the peel seal, the bottom can be defined by the radiant seal, and the sides can be defined by both the radiant and peel seals.
- the unsealed portion may be located in a central or other portion of the package.
- the unsealed area can be below a portion of the unsealed pocket, between portions of an unsealed pocket, or between two separate unsealed pockets.
- the unsealed pockets can also have various shapes, e.g., a rectangle, a square, a circle, a triangle, or a quadrilateral.
- a peel seal includes right, left and central sections.
- the left and right peel seal sections extend downwardly, e.g., at an angle of about 30 degrees, from the central peel seal section to opposite sides of the package.
- material that is used to form the peel seal can extend laterally between a central peel seal section and opposite sides of the package. Each segment of the laterally extending peel seal material defines at least one unsealed channel.
- FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention in the form of a sausage package having a single, continuous hermetic peel seal surrounding a radiant seal, two unsealed pockets between the peel seal and a closure mechanism, and an unsealed area between the radiant and peel seals;
- FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a package
- FIG. 3 illustrates a first or bottom sheet of a sausage package
- FIG. 4 illustrates a side view the first sheet shown in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 illustrates a flat second sheet that covers the first or bottom sheet shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ;
- FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the flat second shown in FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in the form of a sausage package having a single, continuous hermetic peel seal surrounding a radiant seal, one unsealed pocket between the peel seal and a closure mechanism and extending across the width of the package, and an unsealed area between the radiant and peel seals;
- FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of a sausage package having a single, continuous hermetic peel seal, two unsealed pockets, an unsealed area, and a section of peelable material extending between the peel seal and sides of the package that defines one or more gaps or unsealed channels;
- FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of a package having asymmetrical unsealed pockets formed by peel seal sections having different shapes.
- FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of a package having one or more unsealed pockets and an unsealed area, but not a closure mechanism.
- the present invention addresses the shortcomings of known sausage packages by providing a package or pouch that holds one or more sausage links in a cavity formed between two sheets that are sealed in such a manner that reduces the force required to open the package while, at the same time, maintaining the integrity of the package so that it can be re-closed.
- Sausages are sealed within a cavity formed in a packaging sheet with a radiant seal that is formed using heat and vacuum (radiant seal).
- a peel or contact seal that is formed using heat and pressure (peel seal) extends around the radiant seal and the cavity.
- One or more unsealed pockets or voids are defined between a top of the peel seal and a bottom of a closure mechanism or reclosable seal, such as interlocking ribs/grooves or a zipper, which extends across the tops of the sheets.
- a closure mechanism or reclosable seal such as interlocking ribs/grooves or a zipper, which extends across the tops of the sheets.
- a consumer can open the pouch more easily since it is easier to break seals through one or more unsealed pockets and an unsealed area compared to a solid seal.
- an unsealed area is defined between the peel and radiant seals. In addition to reducing the peeling force that is required to open the package, the unsealed area serves to collect and confine purge, thus providing a more visually appealing package.
- FIGS. 1-9 illustrate easy-open packages that embody aspects of the invention in further detail.
- a package 100 for one or more sausages 105 includes a first plastic sheet 110 , a second plastic sheet 120 , a peel or contact seal 130 , a radiant seal 140 and a closure mechanism 150 .
- the illustrated embodiments are shown with reference to curved cylindrical sausages.
- the package 100 can be, for example, from about 285 mm to about 300 mm in width, and from about 155 mm to about 170 mm in height.
- the package 100 can have a width that is greater than its height to accommodate the shape and size of the sausages 105 .
- Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments can be adapted to sausages having different shapes and sizes. For purposes of illustration, not limitation, this specification refers to curved sausages.
- the first or bottom plastic sheet 110 is ridged or semi-ridged and defines a pocket or cavity 112 (“cavity”) for holding sausages 105 .
- the bottom plastic sheet 110 may be, for example, a peelable polyester barrier that is laminated with polypropylene.
- the second sheet 120 is a flat plastic sheet that may be flexible and placed over the first sheet 110 to cover the cavity 112 and the sausages 105 within the cavity 112 .
- the second plastic sheet may be, for example, a peelable oriented polyester that is laminated with a barrier sealant. After the second sheet 120 is placed over the first sheet 110 , the cavity 112 having the sausages 105 is sealed with a radiant seal 140 .
- the radiant seal 140 is above the cavity 112 and seals the sausages 105 within the cavity 112 .
- the hermetic peel or contact seal 130 is continuous and is formed around the radiant seal 140 between the bottom of the package 100 and the bottom of the closure mechanism 150 .
- the peel seal 130 can be formed using an appropriately shaped seal bar.
- the seal bar applies heat and pressure in a pattern of the peel seal 130 .
- a peel seal 130 can be formed by pressing a seal bar at a temperature of about 125° C. for about one second over the first and second sheets 110 and 120 .
- the peel seal 130 can have a height or thickness of about 5-7 mm.
- the peel seal 130 is preferably at least 5 mm in width to provide sufficient strength and hermetic sealing capability, but is not so wide so as to unduly hinder opening of the package 100 .
- the peel seal 130 has a strength of about 2.5-3.3 pounds per square inch (psi) so that it can be broken by hand by a consumer with a relatively small amount of force. The entire peal seal is thus temporary and can be broken with digital forces.
- the peal seal 130 extends across the width of the package above the radiant seal 140 , preferably around the outer periphery of the radiant seal 140 .
- the peel seal 130 is continuous and includes central peel seal section 132 , left and right peel seal sections 133 and 134 that extend downwardly from the central peel seal section 132 and that follow the contour of the radiant seal 140 , side peel seal sections 136 and 137 and a bottom peel seal section 138 .
- the left and right peel seal sections 133 and 134 extend downwardly from the central peel seal section 132 at an angle of about 30 degrees to opposite sides of the package. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the slope or curvature of the left and right peel seal sections 133 and 134 can vary depending on the number, shapes and sizes of sausage products. Peel seal sections 136 and 137 extend along the sides of the package between the bottom of the closure mechanism 150 and the bottom of the package 100 .
- the central peel seal section 132 extends between the bottom of the closure mechanism 150 and the top of radiant seal 140 , thus defining two separate unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b in the upper corners of the package 100 .
- the unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b and partially conforming to the shape of the cavity 112 , the sausages 105 and/or the radiant seal 140 .
- the unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b are advantageously substantially triangular in shape and symmetrical. Unsealed pockets having different shapes and sizes may, however, result from different package configurations that are within the scope of the invention.
- a package 900 includes unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b that have different shapes and/or sizes, i.e., they are asymmetrical. Asymmetrical unsealed pockets can be formed by using peel seal sections having different shapes.
- an unsealed area 160 c is defined between the radiant seal 140 and the peel seal 130 .
- sections 160 a - c are unsealed, for purposes of identifying different unsealed sections, unsealed sections 160 a and 160 b that are defined between a top of the peel seal 130 and the closure mechanism 150 are referred to as unsealed “pockets,” and the unsealed section 160 c that is defined between the peel and radiant seals 130 and 140 is referred to as an unsealed “area.”
- the unsealed area 160 c like the unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b , allows the package to be opened more easily since it is easier to tear through unsealed sections compared to complete or continuous seals.
- An added benefit of the unsealed area 160 c is that purge from the sausages can be collected in the unsealed area 160 c , thus providing a package that is more visually appealing to consumers.
- the unsealed area 160 c is defined between the radiant seal 140 and the peel seal 130 and between two unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b .
- a bottom of the unsealed area 160 c is defined by the radiant seal 140 .
- the top of the unsealed area 160 c is vertically defined between the bottom of the closure mechanism 150 and the top of the peel seal 130 .
- the unsealed area 160 c is illustrated having a rectangular shape, but can also have other shapes and sizes. For example, other unsealed area shapes can include squares, circles, triangles, and quadrilaterals. Further, the unsealed area can be positioned in different locations rather than being within a central portion of the package, depending on the particular packaging applications. Thus, a central, rectangular unsealed area 160 c is provided for purposes of explanation and illustration, not limitation.
- the closure mechanism 150 is positioned above the peel seal 130 .
- the closure mechanism 150 can be interlocking ribs/grooves, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , or a zipper, as is known in the art.
- the ends 152 of the closure mechanism 150 are crushed and are of sufficient strength so that when the package is opened, the crushed ends 152 prohibit the temporary side and bottom peel seal sections 137 - 138 from being broken.
- the top of the peel seal or sections 132 - 134 are broken. Portions of the side peel seals 136 and 137 may be broken when the package is opened, but the integrity of the package is maintained.
- a tamper evident mechanism 170 is located above the closure mechanism 150 to provide a visual indication whether the package has been opened prior to purchase.
- the tamper evident mechanism 170 is a conventional tamper-evident tear strip 172 that is connected to flaps 154 extending upwardly from the closure mechanism 150 .
- the tear strip is connected to the flaps 154 along perforation lines 174 .
- the tear strip 172 is removed along the perforations 174 in order to access the closure mechanism 150 and the sausages 105 , thus providing a visual indication whether or not the package has been prematurely opened.
- the consumer initially removes the tamper evident strip 172 by tearing the strip 172 along the perforation 177 to access two flaps 154 above the closure mechanism. Holding the flaps 154 , preferably the middle of the flaps 154 , the consumer pulls the flaps 154 apart, thus separating the flaps and opening the middle of the package. Further motion opens the package further and breaks the top of the peel seal 130 and opens the pockets 160 a and 160 b and unsealed area 160 c . The top of the peel seal can have a jagged edge so that tearing of the peel seal 130 can be initiated more easily. Continued motion further breaks the left and right peel seal sections 133 and 134 and the radiant seal 140 , thus providing access to the sausages 105 in the cavity 112 . The package is opened without damaging the package so that it can be used to store any remaining sausages. The package can be re-closed with the closure mechanism 150 .
- seals are advantageous and more convenient compared to many known sausage packages since a consumer is not required to separate complete or continuous seals. Rather, the seal area that must be broken is significantly reduced by providing the unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b and the unsealed area 160 c , thus reducing the amount of force that is required to open the package.
- Embodiments thus eliminate the need for consumers to resort to cutting implements, such as scissors and knives, to open sausage packages, making it safer and easier to open sausage packages.
- the package can be opened without being damaged or destroyed. Leftover sausages can be stored in the original package, rather than wrapping them in a partially or completely destroyed package or storing them in a separate container.
- the product purge liquid or moisture
- the product purge may be retained proximate to the sausage in the unsealed area 160 c , thus improving the appearance of the package.
- Embodiments therefore, provide significant advantages over known packages. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that changes can be made to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 while providing the same or similar benefits.
- FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a package 700 having a single unsealed pocket 160 d that extends across the width of the package, rather than two separate unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the single unsealed pocket 160 d is defined between the top of the peel seal (sections 132 - 134 ) and the bottom of the closure mechanism 150 .
- the single unsealed pocket 160 d is formed by the central peel seal section 132 extending only partially to the bottom of the closure mechanism 150 (rather than extending completely to the bottom of the closure mechanism 150 as shown in FIG. 1 ), thus a gap 160 e is formed, and a single unsealed pocket 160 d that extends across the width of the package is defined.
- the unsealed pocket 160 d has a varying height along its width and generally follows the contour of the top of the radiant seal 140 and/or sausages 105 . More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the height of the unsealed pocket 160 d is greater at the sides of the package compared to the section 160 e immediately above the central peel seal section 132 .
- the height of the unsealed section 160 e immediately above the central peel seal section 132 can be about 3 mm, and the height of the unsealed section near the sides of the package can be about 3 mm.
- Other aspects of the package 700 are the same as the package 100 shown in FIG. 1 and described above.
- a package 800 is the same as the package shown in FIG. 1 , except that the package 800 includes additional segments of material extending from the central peel seal section. More particularly, the package 800 includes sections of peelable material 810 that extend laterally from a central peel seal section 132 to opposite sides of the package. The material 810 defines one or more channels 815 and, therefore, does not form a seal. In one embodiment, the strip of material 810 has a height or thickness of about 3 mm, and the channel 815 can have a width of about 2 mm. The material 810 may be useful for providing further rigidity to the top of the package if it is needed.
- the material 810 may also provide a symmetrical appearance across the width of the package below the closure mechanism 150 .
- the material strip 810 and channel 815 may have other shapes and sizes depending on various packaging applications. Other aspects of the package are the same as the package shown in FIG. 1 and described above.
- an easy-open. package may not require a reclosure mechanism.
- a package 1000 is designed in a manner that is similar to the package 800 shown in FIG. 8 , except that the closure mechanism 150 and temper evident mechanism are removed. Instead, the tops of the sheets 110 and 120 are initially closed by a contact seal.
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to plastic packages for food items, more particularly, to a reclosable, plastic package for sausages that includes a hermetic peel seal, one or more unsealed sections to facilitate opening of the package and a closure mechanism that allows the package to be reclosed after it has been opened.
- Various types of packages have been used to store sausages, e.g., Eckrich brand smoked sausages, which are available from ConAgra Foods Packaged Foods Co., Inc. Smoked sausages can have curved or straight shapes. One previously known package of smoked sausages includes two curved sausage pieces or links, which are held in a cavity between two plastic sheets attached by a continuous radiant seal (formed by heat and vacuum). A contact or peel seal (formed by heat and pressure) surrounds the radiant seal. In use, a consumer opens the top of the package to gain access to the sausages. These seals are typically continuous. Opening the package, however, can be difficult given the manner in which the plastic sheets are sealed together. Sometimes, the consumer will be able to manually open the top of the package with minimal damage to the package. Other times, however, the consumer must resort to cutting implements, such as scissors and knives, in order to break the radiant seal and open the package.
- Once the package is finally opened, it may be damaged or destroyed as a result of tearing and/or cutting the package to access the sausages. Consequently, the opened package may not be suitable for further use. To the extent that the opened package can be salvaged, known sausage packages typically do not provide a closure mechanism that allows sausages to be saved in the package for later consumption. As a result, any remaining sausages are typically stored in the opened or torn bag, for example, by folding over the plastic top to close the top of the package. Extra sausages may also be stored in a separate container. These extra storage steps and containers present unnecessary inconveniences to a consumer, and the sausages may spoil if they are not properly packaged.
- In addition to the inconveniences involved with opening sausage packages, the appearance of known sausage packages can also be improved. More particularly, when using known sealing techniques, purge or juices from the sausages is squeezed through various portions of the package, and are visible to consumers through the clear plastic sheets, thus providing a sausage package that is not particularly visually appealing due to the distributed purge.
- Other known packages have been designed with particular sealing configurations for food items other than sausages. For example, Application Publication No. 2004/0151811 A1 describes a package for pizza. The package has a double seal that is formed by an inner or first seal and an outer or second seal. The two seals are separated by one or more gaps. The application explains that this double seal configuration provides an improved hermetic package to reduce the frequency of package failures.
- A double seal is sometimes used in these types of packages to protect against the development of a channel or leak, but a single seal may be sufficient if it is applied properly. The pizza package that is described in the published application, however, is not designed for sausages and sausages having arcuate shapes. Additionally, the pizza package that is described does not address confining or collecting purge or juices from sausages within a particular area to provide a more visually appealing sausage package.
- Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved package for sausages. The package should be easier to open than known sausage packages. The package should also not be damaged in order to access the sausages. Further, if necessary, it should be possible to utilize a closure mechanism to re-close an undamaged package to store any leftover sausages. The package should provide allow for more aesthetically pleasing presentation of sausages.
- In accordance with one embodiment, a sausage package includes a first sheet, a second sheet, a radiant seal, a peel seal, and a closure mechanism. The first sheet defines a cavity for holding a sausage. The second sheet, which can be flat, is applied over the first sheet to cover the cavity and the sausage. The radiant seal is formed between the first and second sheets to seal the sausage in the cavity, and the peel seal is formed between the first and second sheets and around the radiant seal. A reclosable seal extends across the tops of the first and second sheets and above the peel seal. One or more unsealed pockets are defined between the peel seal and a bottom of the reclosable seal to facilitate opening of the package. After the package is opened, it may be re-closed.
- In accordance with a further embodiment, a package for a plurality of sausages includes first and second sheets, radiant and peel seals, and a reclosable seal. The first sheet defines a cavity for holding the sausages, and the second sheet is applied over the first sheet to cover the cavity and the sausages. The radiant seal is formed between the first and second sheets to seal the sausages in the cavity, and the peel seal is formed between the first and second sheets and around the radiant seal. The reclosable seal extends across the tops of the first and second sheets and above the peel seal. One or more unsealed pockets are defined between the peel seal and a bottom of the reclosable seal. Further, an unsealed area is defined between the radiant seal and the peel seal. The one or more unsealed pockets and the unsealed area facilitate opening of the package, which can be re-closed with the reclosable seal after the peel and radiant seals are broken.
- In accordance with a further alternative embodiment, a package for a plurality of curved or arcuate sausages includes first and second sheets, radiant and peel seals, and a reclosable seal. The sheets define a package having a length that is different from its height. The first sheet defines a cavity for holding the arcuate sausages, and the second sheet is applied over the first sheet to cover the cavity and the arcuate sausages. The radiant seal is formed between the first and second sheets to seal the arcuate sausages in the cavity, and the peel seal is formed between the first and second sheets and around the radiant seal. The peel seal includes left, central and right sections. The left and right peel seal sections extend downwardly from the central peel seal section to opposite sides of the package. One or more unsealed pockets are defined between the peel seal and a bottom of the reclosable seal, and an unsealed area is defined between the central peel seal section and the radiant seal. The one or more unsealed pockets and the unsealed area facilitate opening of the package, which can be re-closed with the reclosable seal.
- Other embodiments are directed to an easy-open package for food items that includes one or more unsealed areas but does not include a reclosable seal. According to one embodiment, a package for a food item includes first and second sheets and radiant and peel seals. The first sheet defines a cavity for holding the food item, and the second sheet is applied over the first sheet. The radiant seal is formed between the first and second sheets to seal the food item in the cavity, and the peel seal is formed around the radiant seal. One or more unsealed pockets are defined above a portion of the peel seal that extends across the width of the package, the one or more unsealed pockets facilitating opening of the package. Further, in an alternative embodiment, an unsealed area is defined between a central peel seal section and the radiant seal.
- In various embodiments, an unsealed area is defined between the radiant seal and the peel seal. The top of the unsealed area can be defined by the peel seal, the bottom can be defined by the radiant seal, and the sides can be defined by both the radiant and peel seals. The unsealed portion may be located in a central or other portion of the package. Depending on the number and configuration of unsealed pockets, the unsealed area can be below a portion of the unsealed pocket, between portions of an unsealed pocket, or between two separate unsealed pockets. The unsealed pockets can also have various shapes, e.g., a rectangle, a square, a circle, a triangle, or a quadrilateral.
- Further, in various embodiments, a peel seal includes right, left and central sections. The left and right peel seal sections extend downwardly, e.g., at an angle of about 30 degrees, from the central peel seal section to opposite sides of the package. Further, material that is used to form the peel seal can extend laterally between a central peel seal section and opposite sides of the package. Each segment of the laterally extending peel seal material defines at least one unsealed channel.
- Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout, and in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention in the form of a sausage package having a single, continuous hermetic peel seal surrounding a radiant seal, two unsealed pockets between the peel seal and a closure mechanism, and an unsealed area between the radiant and peel seals; -
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a package; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a first or bottom sheet of a sausage package; -
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view the first sheet shown inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 illustrates a flat second sheet that covers the first or bottom sheet shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 ; -
FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the flat second shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in the form of a sausage package having a single, continuous hermetic peel seal surrounding a radiant seal, one unsealed pocket between the peel seal and a closure mechanism and extending across the width of the package, and an unsealed area between the radiant and peel seals; -
FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of a sausage package having a single, continuous hermetic peel seal, two unsealed pockets, an unsealed area, and a section of peelable material extending between the peel seal and sides of the package that defines one or more gaps or unsealed channels; -
FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of a package having asymmetrical unsealed pockets formed by peel seal sections having different shapes; and -
FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of a package having one or more unsealed pockets and an unsealed area, but not a closure mechanism. - In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration specific embodiments. It is to be understood that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of embodiments.
- The present invention addresses the shortcomings of known sausage packages by providing a package or pouch that holds one or more sausage links in a cavity formed between two sheets that are sealed in such a manner that reduces the force required to open the package while, at the same time, maintaining the integrity of the package so that it can be re-closed. Sausages are sealed within a cavity formed in a packaging sheet with a radiant seal that is formed using heat and vacuum (radiant seal). A peel or contact seal that is formed using heat and pressure (peel seal) extends around the radiant seal and the cavity. One or more unsealed pockets or voids are defined between a top of the peel seal and a bottom of a closure mechanism or reclosable seal, such as interlocking ribs/grooves or a zipper, which extends across the tops of the sheets. There is only one hermetic peel seal separating the sausages and the closure mechanism, which is sufficient when known sealing technology is properly implemented. A consumer can open the pouch more easily since it is easier to break seals through one or more unsealed pockets and an unsealed area compared to a solid seal. Further, an unsealed area is defined between the peel and radiant seals. In addition to reducing the peeling force that is required to open the package, the unsealed area serves to collect and confine purge, thus providing a more visually appealing package.
- The consumer initially removes a tamper-evident tear strip at the top of the package, opens the closure mechanism and separates the top edges of the package sheets adjacent the closure mechanism, continuing to break through the one or more unsealed pockets defined between the peel seal and the closure mechanism and to break through the unsealed area defined between the peel and radiant seals, until the peel and radiant seals are broken to gain access to the sausages. The sausages are accessed without damaging the package, which can be re-closed with a closure mechanism to store any unused sausages for later consumption.
FIGS. 1-9 illustrate easy-open packages that embody aspects of the invention in further detail. - In
FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment, apackage 100 for one ormore sausages 105 includes afirst plastic sheet 110, asecond plastic sheet 120, a peel orcontact seal 130, aradiant seal 140 and aclosure mechanism 150. The illustrated embodiments are shown with reference to curved cylindrical sausages. For typical sausage links, thepackage 100 can be, for example, from about 285 mm to about 300 mm in width, and from about 155 mm to about 170 mm in height. Thus, thepackage 100 can have a width that is greater than its height to accommodate the shape and size of thesausages 105. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments can be adapted to sausages having different shapes and sizes. For purposes of illustration, not limitation, this specification refers to curved sausages. - Referring to
FIGS. 2-4 , the first orbottom plastic sheet 110 is ridged or semi-ridged and defines a pocket or cavity 112 (“cavity”) for holdingsausages 105. Thebottom plastic sheet 110 may be, for example, a peelable polyester barrier that is laminated with polypropylene. Referring toFIGS. 2, 5 and 6, thesecond sheet 120 is a flat plastic sheet that may be flexible and placed over thefirst sheet 110 to cover thecavity 112 and thesausages 105 within thecavity 112. The second plastic sheet may be, for example, a peelable oriented polyester that is laminated with a barrier sealant. After thesecond sheet 120 is placed over thefirst sheet 110, thecavity 112 having thesausages 105 is sealed with aradiant seal 140. - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , theradiant seal 140 is above thecavity 112 and seals thesausages 105 within thecavity 112. The hermetic peel orcontact seal 130 is continuous and is formed around theradiant seal 140 between the bottom of thepackage 100 and the bottom of theclosure mechanism 150. Thepeel seal 130 can be formed using an appropriately shaped seal bar. The seal bar applies heat and pressure in a pattern of thepeel seal 130. For example, apeel seal 130 can be formed by pressing a seal bar at a temperature of about 125° C. for about one second over the first andsecond sheets exemplary package 100 having a width of about 285 mm and a height of about 155 mm, thepeel seal 130 can have a height or thickness of about 5-7 mm. Thepeel seal 130 is preferably at least 5 mm in width to provide sufficient strength and hermetic sealing capability, but is not so wide so as to unduly hinder opening of thepackage 100. For example, according to one preferred embodiment, thepeel seal 130 has a strength of about 2.5-3.3 pounds per square inch (psi) so that it can be broken by hand by a consumer with a relatively small amount of force. The entire peal seal is thus temporary and can be broken with digital forces. - The manner in which the first and
second sheets peal seal 130 extends across the width of the package above theradiant seal 140, preferably around the outer periphery of theradiant seal 140. Thepeel seal 130 is continuous and includes centralpeel seal section 132, left and rightpeel seal sections peel seal section 132 and that follow the contour of theradiant seal 140, sidepeel seal sections peel seal section 138. The left and rightpeel seal sections peel seal section 132 at an angle of about 30 degrees to opposite sides of the package. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the slope or curvature of the left and rightpeel seal sections Peel seal sections closure mechanism 150 and the bottom of thepackage 100. - In the illustrated embodiment, the central
peel seal section 132 extends between the bottom of theclosure mechanism 150 and the top ofradiant seal 140, thus defining two separate unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b in the upper corners of thepackage 100. The unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b, and partially conforming to the shape of thecavity 112, thesausages 105 and/or theradiant seal 140. In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b are advantageously substantially triangular in shape and symmetrical. Unsealed pockets having different shapes and sizes may, however, result from different package configurations that are within the scope of the invention. For example, in an alternative embodiment shown inFIG. 9 , apackage 900 includes unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b that have different shapes and/or sizes, i.e., they are asymmetrical. Asymmetrical unsealed pockets can be formed by using peel seal sections having different shapes. - In addition to the unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b, an unsealed area 160 c is defined between the
radiant seal 140 and thepeel seal 130. Although all of sections 160 a-c are unsealed, for purposes of identifying different unsealed sections, unsealed sections 160 a and 160 b that are defined between a top of thepeel seal 130 and theclosure mechanism 150 are referred to as unsealed “pockets,” and the unsealed section 160 c that is defined between the peel andradiant seals - The unsealed area 160 c, like the unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b, allows the package to be opened more easily since it is easier to tear through unsealed sections compared to complete or continuous seals. An added benefit of the unsealed area 160 c is that purge from the sausages can be collected in the unsealed area 160 c, thus providing a package that is more visually appealing to consumers.
- As shown in
FIG. 1 , the unsealed area 160 c is defined between theradiant seal 140 and thepeel seal 130 and between two unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b. A bottom of the unsealed area 160 c is defined by theradiant seal 140. The top of the unsealed area 160 c is vertically defined between the bottom of theclosure mechanism 150 and the top of thepeel seal 130. The sides of the unsealed area 160 c and defined by section of both the peel andradiant seals - The
closure mechanism 150 is positioned above thepeel seal 130. In the illustrated embodiment, theclosure mechanism 150 can be interlocking ribs/grooves, as illustrated inFIG. 1 , or a zipper, as is known in the art. The ends 152 of theclosure mechanism 150 are crushed and are of sufficient strength so that when the package is opened, the crushed ends 152 prohibit the temporary side and bottom peel seal sections 137-138 from being broken. Thus, the top of the peel seal or sections 132-134 are broken. Portions of the side peel seals 136 and 137 may be broken when the package is opened, but the integrity of the package is maintained. A tamperevident mechanism 170 is located above theclosure mechanism 150 to provide a visual indication whether the package has been opened prior to purchase. In one embodiment, the tamperevident mechanism 170 is a conventional tamper-evident tear strip 172 that is connected toflaps 154 extending upwardly from theclosure mechanism 150. The tear strip is connected to theflaps 154 along perforation lines 174. Thetear strip 172 is removed along theperforations 174 in order to access theclosure mechanism 150 and thesausages 105, thus providing a visual indication whether or not the package has been prematurely opened. - The consumer initially removes the tamper
evident strip 172 by tearing thestrip 172 along the perforation 177 to access twoflaps 154 above the closure mechanism. Holding theflaps 154, preferably the middle of theflaps 154, the consumer pulls theflaps 154 apart, thus separating the flaps and opening the middle of the package. Further motion opens the package further and breaks the top of thepeel seal 130 and opens the pockets 160 a and 160 b and unsealed area 160 c. The top of the peel seal can have a jagged edge so that tearing of thepeel seal 130 can be initiated more easily. Continued motion further breaks the left and rightpeel seal sections radiant seal 140, thus providing access to thesausages 105 in thecavity 112. The package is opened without damaging the package so that it can be used to store any remaining sausages. The package can be re-closed with theclosure mechanism 150. - The arrangement and design of seals is advantageous and more convenient compared to many known sausage packages since a consumer is not required to separate complete or continuous seals. Rather, the seal area that must be broken is significantly reduced by providing the unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b and the unsealed area 160 c, thus reducing the amount of force that is required to open the package. Embodiments thus eliminate the need for consumers to resort to cutting implements, such as scissors and knives, to open sausage packages, making it safer and easier to open sausage packages. Moreover, the package can be opened without being damaged or destroyed. Leftover sausages can be stored in the original package, rather than wrapping them in a partially or completely destroyed package or storing them in a separate container. Further, prior to opening the package, the product purge (liquid or moisture) may be retained proximate to the sausage in the unsealed area 160 c, thus improving the appearance of the package. Embodiments, therefore, provide significant advantages over known packages. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that changes can be made to the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 while providing the same or similar benefits. - For example,
FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of apackage 700 having a single unsealed pocket 160 d that extends across the width of the package, rather than two separate unsealed pockets 160 a and 160 b as shown inFIG. 1 . The single unsealed pocket 160 d is defined between the top of the peel seal (sections 132-134) and the bottom of theclosure mechanism 150. The single unsealed pocket 160 d is formed by the centralpeel seal section 132 extending only partially to the bottom of the closure mechanism 150 (rather than extending completely to the bottom of theclosure mechanism 150 as shown inFIG. 1 ), thus a gap 160 e is formed, and a single unsealed pocket 160 d that extends across the width of the package is defined. - In the illustrated embodiment, the unsealed pocket 160 d has a varying height along its width and generally follows the contour of the top of the
radiant seal 140 and/orsausages 105. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the height of the unsealed pocket 160 d is greater at the sides of the package compared to the section 160 e immediately above the centralpeel seal section 132. The height of the unsealed section 160 e immediately above the centralpeel seal section 132 can be about 3 mm, and the height of the unsealed section near the sides of the package can be about 3 mm. Other aspects of thepackage 700 are the same as thepackage 100 shown inFIG. 1 and described above. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , in a further alternative embodiment, apackage 800 is the same as the package shown inFIG. 1 , except that thepackage 800 includes additional segments of material extending from the central peel seal section. More particularly, thepackage 800 includes sections ofpeelable material 810 that extend laterally from a centralpeel seal section 132 to opposite sides of the package. Thematerial 810 defines one ormore channels 815 and, therefore, does not form a seal. In one embodiment, the strip ofmaterial 810 has a height or thickness of about 3 mm, and thechannel 815 can have a width of about 2 mm. Thematerial 810 may be useful for providing further rigidity to the top of the package if it is needed. Thematerial 810 may also provide a symmetrical appearance across the width of the package below theclosure mechanism 150. Thematerial strip 810 andchannel 815 may have other shapes and sizes depending on various packaging applications. Other aspects of the package are the same as the package shown inFIG. 1 and described above. - In alternative embodiments, an easy-open. package may not require a reclosure mechanism. For example, referring to
FIG. 10 , apackage 1000 is designed in a manner that is similar to thepackage 800 shown inFIG. 8 , except that theclosure mechanism 150 and temper evident mechanism are removed. Instead, the tops of thesheets - Although references have been made in the foregoing description to various embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that insubstantial modifications, alterations, and substitutions can be made to the described embodiments without departing from embodiments as recited in the accompanying claims.
Claims (55)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/120,421 US7604828B2 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2005-05-02 | Easy-open sausage package |
PCT/US2006/016394 WO2006119089A2 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2006-04-28 | Easy-open sausage package |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/120,421 US7604828B2 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2005-05-02 | Easy-open sausage package |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060246185A1 true US20060246185A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
US7604828B2 US7604828B2 (en) | 2009-10-20 |
Family
ID=37234752
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/120,421 Expired - Fee Related US7604828B2 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2005-05-02 | Easy-open sausage package |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7604828B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006119089A2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130283736A1 (en) * | 2007-03-27 | 2013-10-31 | Kraft Foods Group Brands Llc | Reclosable Multi-Compartment Package |
DE202015103103U1 (en) * | 2015-06-12 | 2016-09-15 | Cofresco Frischhalteprodukte Gmbh & Co. Kg | packaging |
US20190062031A1 (en) * | 2017-08-30 | 2019-02-28 | Bemis Company, Inc. | Thermoformed Tray for Food Products |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR20110014134A (en) * | 2008-02-22 | 2011-02-10 | 빈스토크 에이피에스 | Easy to open package |
US20090238495A1 (en) * | 2008-03-18 | 2009-09-24 | Anderson Michael R | Pouch dispenser |
DE102016109461A1 (en) * | 2016-05-23 | 2017-11-23 | Südpack Verpackungen GmbH & Co. KG | packaging |
USD896633S1 (en) | 2019-01-29 | 2020-09-22 | Golden State Foods Corp. | Container |
USD896634S1 (en) | 2019-01-29 | 2020-09-22 | Golden State Foods Corp. | Container |
Citations (76)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2379934A (en) * | 1941-10-08 | 1945-07-10 | Mayer & Co Inc O | Package |
US2978769A (en) * | 1958-07-07 | 1961-04-11 | Talon Inc | Plastic bag or container |
US3120336A (en) * | 1960-03-09 | 1964-02-04 | Du Pont | Pouch |
US3145112A (en) * | 1958-09-09 | 1964-08-18 | Reynolds Metals Co | Food package |
US3181583A (en) * | 1962-09-24 | 1965-05-04 | Daniel J Lingenfelter | Reclosable plastic container |
US3216832A (en) * | 1961-12-21 | 1965-11-09 | Cloud Machine Corp | Suction packaging method |
US3398876A (en) * | 1967-02-06 | 1968-08-27 | Anderson Bros Mfg Co | Reclosable package |
US3454158A (en) * | 1967-05-17 | 1969-07-08 | Dow Chemical Co | Vacuum package and container therefor |
US3473589A (en) * | 1965-12-11 | 1969-10-21 | Minigrip Inc | Plastic bag |
US3490576A (en) * | 1967-06-12 | 1970-01-20 | Standard Packaging Corp | Air evacuated package |
US3516537A (en) * | 1968-06-27 | 1970-06-23 | Grace W R & Co | Opening device on bags and the like |
US3625270A (en) * | 1970-04-17 | 1971-12-07 | Milorad Skendzic | Pilferproof package |
US3647485A (en) * | 1968-08-21 | 1972-03-07 | Mayer & Co Inc O | Package and method of making same |
US3676159A (en) * | 1970-04-27 | 1972-07-11 | Grace W R & Co | Thermoformed reusable package having a reclosable lid |
US3740237A (en) * | 1970-11-25 | 1973-06-19 | Mayer & Co Inc O | Continuous method for manufacturing hermetically sealed packages having dual seals |
US3746215A (en) * | 1971-01-29 | 1973-07-17 | A Ausnit | Reclosable sealed pouring bag |
US3792181A (en) * | 1969-09-24 | 1974-02-12 | Mahaffy & Harder Eng Co | Semi-rigid plastic package with reclosable seal |
US3827472A (en) * | 1969-12-05 | 1974-08-06 | Seisan Nipponsha Kk | Reclosable bag |
US3910410A (en) * | 1974-03-19 | 1975-10-07 | Continental Can Co | Resealable package |
US3991801A (en) * | 1975-06-23 | 1976-11-16 | Steven Ausnit | Plastic fasteners with connecting web |
US4212337A (en) * | 1978-03-31 | 1980-07-15 | Union Carbide Corporation | Closure fastening device |
US4246288A (en) * | 1979-08-09 | 1981-01-20 | W. R. Grace & Co. | Reclosable package |
US4273815A (en) * | 1970-06-19 | 1981-06-16 | Oscar Mayer & Co. Inc. | Laminated film packages |
US4285376A (en) * | 1977-07-07 | 1981-08-25 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable plastic bag construction made from a one piece extrusion |
US4290467A (en) * | 1979-03-20 | 1981-09-22 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable film plastic bags and method of making same |
US4337889A (en) * | 1980-02-06 | 1982-07-06 | Talon, Inc. | Reclosable bag with slide fastener |
US4367742A (en) * | 1979-05-29 | 1983-01-11 | Murray Ornstein | Ostomy bag |
US4382513A (en) * | 1981-02-06 | 1983-05-10 | W. R. Grace & Co., Cryovac Div. | Packages having readily peelable seals |
US4427705A (en) * | 1981-05-15 | 1984-01-24 | Tec, Inc. | Commestible package |
US4578813A (en) * | 1984-06-11 | 1986-03-25 | Minigrip Incorporated | Bag and reclosable separable fastener assembly providing both closing alignment facility and differential separation resistance |
US4603537A (en) * | 1982-11-12 | 1986-08-05 | Formost Packaging Machines, Inc. | Method for making a bag with a bag mouth closure |
US4617683A (en) * | 1984-01-30 | 1986-10-14 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable bag, material, and method of and means for making same |
US4637061A (en) * | 1985-12-20 | 1987-01-13 | Riese J Richard | Specimen, sample collection and transport container |
US4637063A (en) * | 1985-03-04 | 1987-01-13 | Kcl Corporation | Reclosable bag with sealed laminated liner and method |
US4698954A (en) * | 1986-07-25 | 1987-10-13 | The Dow Chemical Company | Guide for zippered film in a form, fill and seal packaging machine |
US4729476A (en) * | 1985-02-21 | 1988-03-08 | W.R. Grace & Co., Cryovac Div. | Easy open shrinkable laminate |
US4736450A (en) * | 1985-11-20 | 1988-04-05 | Minigrip, Inc. | Gusseted bags with reclosure features |
US4759642A (en) * | 1986-08-11 | 1988-07-26 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable bag especially suitable for cereal packaging, and method |
US4777054A (en) * | 1986-11-06 | 1988-10-11 | Perfect Holdings, Ltd. | Easy open package |
US4782951A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1988-11-08 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package and method of making reclosable package |
US4786190A (en) * | 1986-08-11 | 1988-11-22 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable package having outer reclosable closure and inner non-reclosable closure |
US4823961A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1989-04-25 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package |
US4859514A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1989-08-22 | W. R. Grace & Co. | Laminate for an easily opened package |
US4875587A (en) * | 1985-02-21 | 1989-10-24 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Easy open shrinkable laminate |
US4901505A (en) * | 1988-02-12 | 1990-02-20 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Method of making a package having peelable film |
US4923309A (en) * | 1989-02-27 | 1990-05-08 | Illinois Tool Works | Tamper-evident package |
US4966470A (en) * | 1989-02-24 | 1990-10-30 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Tamper-evident, reclosable, flexible packages |
US5005707A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1991-04-09 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package |
US5014856A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1991-05-14 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package |
US5023121A (en) * | 1990-04-12 | 1991-06-11 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Coextruded film with peelable sealant |
US5024044A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1991-06-18 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Process for producing an easily opened package |
US5050736A (en) * | 1988-07-12 | 1991-09-24 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package |
US5074416A (en) * | 1990-12-14 | 1991-12-24 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Package with recloseable board seal |
US5107658A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1992-04-28 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Method of making a reclosable package |
US5118203A (en) * | 1991-04-19 | 1992-06-02 | T W Kutter, Inc. | Resealable packages and method and apparatus for producing same |
US5246720A (en) * | 1990-03-21 | 1993-09-21 | Buchko Raymond G | Reclosable package and method of making same |
US5395632A (en) * | 1990-04-05 | 1995-03-07 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Packaging of thinly sliced meats |
US5405629A (en) * | 1990-04-05 | 1995-04-11 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Multi-seal reclosable flexible package for displaying thinly sliced food products |
US5445838A (en) * | 1990-04-05 | 1995-08-29 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Peelable and resealable package for thinly sliced meats and the like |
US5456928A (en) * | 1989-06-30 | 1995-10-10 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Tamper-evident, flexible, reclosable package |
US5604000A (en) * | 1995-01-18 | 1997-02-18 | Reynolds Consumer Products Inc. | Heat-sealable peelable composition |
US5770249A (en) * | 1995-06-12 | 1998-06-23 | Sara Lee Corporation | Meat product package and method of forming same |
US5820904A (en) * | 1995-06-12 | 1998-10-13 | Sara Lee Corporation | Meat product package and method of forming same |
US5924795A (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1999-07-20 | Kraft Foods, Inc. | Tamper-evident, reclosable, flexible packages |
US6270257B1 (en) * | 1997-04-11 | 2001-08-07 | Innoflex Incorporated | Reclosable bag with profile strip fastener assembly having improved opening feature |
US20010017947A1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2001-08-30 | Sargento Foods Inc. | Resealable bag for filling with food product (s) and method |
US6347885B1 (en) * | 2000-01-18 | 2002-02-19 | Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. | Reclosable package having a zipper closure, slider device and tamper-evident structure |
US6360513B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2002-03-26 | Sargento Foods Inc. | Resealable bag for filling with food product(s) and method |
US20020081043A1 (en) * | 2000-12-26 | 2002-06-27 | Bruno Edward C. | Plastic bag with easy open and easy close profiles |
US6461043B1 (en) * | 2000-05-24 | 2002-10-08 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Reclosable bag |
US6499878B1 (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2002-12-31 | Pactiv Corporation | Reclosable packages with barrier properties |
US6630237B2 (en) * | 2001-02-05 | 2003-10-07 | Cryovac, Inc. | Peelably sealed packaging |
US20040026423A1 (en) * | 2002-08-08 | 2004-02-12 | Pharmacia Corporation | Reclosable package having an accessible zipper and a method for making the same |
US20040058039A1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2004-03-25 | Aaron Strand | Resealable bag for filling with food product(s) and method |
US6712510B2 (en) * | 2002-04-26 | 2004-03-30 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Slider zipper package with wide mouth opening |
US20040151811A1 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-08-05 | Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc. | Double sealed pizza package |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB620354A (en) | 1947-01-15 | 1949-03-23 | Leroy Lincoln Salfisberg | Package with means for opening it |
FR1551228A (en) | 1967-11-16 | 1968-12-27 | ||
GB1246415A (en) | 1969-04-15 | 1971-09-15 | Charles Norman Rogers | Improvements in watch glass packaging |
GB1549021A (en) | 1975-02-28 | 1979-08-01 | Artusi A | One-piece deepdrawn package form and the use thereof |
CA1082142A (en) | 1976-09-20 | 1980-07-22 | W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Seal for self-welding bag |
GB2094265A (en) | 1981-01-27 | 1982-09-15 | Modern Precision Eng & Ass | Storage container |
FR2546481B1 (en) | 1983-05-27 | 1986-05-30 | Flexico France Sarl | INVIOLABLE BAG, OF THE EXTRUDED PLASTIC MATERIAL TYPE, WITH CLOSURE STRIPS WITH COUPLING PROFILES; CLOSURE STRIPES FOR FITTING SUCH A BAG |
AU599361B2 (en) | 1986-03-21 | 1990-07-19 | Dow Chemical Company, The | Reclosable package with peelable seal |
US4925316A (en) | 1986-08-11 | 1990-05-15 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable bag having an outer reclosable zipper type closure and inner non-reclosable closure |
-
2005
- 2005-05-02 US US11/120,421 patent/US7604828B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-04-28 WO PCT/US2006/016394 patent/WO2006119089A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (81)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2379934A (en) * | 1941-10-08 | 1945-07-10 | Mayer & Co Inc O | Package |
US2978769A (en) * | 1958-07-07 | 1961-04-11 | Talon Inc | Plastic bag or container |
US3145112A (en) * | 1958-09-09 | 1964-08-18 | Reynolds Metals Co | Food package |
US3120336A (en) * | 1960-03-09 | 1964-02-04 | Du Pont | Pouch |
US3216832A (en) * | 1961-12-21 | 1965-11-09 | Cloud Machine Corp | Suction packaging method |
US3181583A (en) * | 1962-09-24 | 1965-05-04 | Daniel J Lingenfelter | Reclosable plastic container |
US3473589A (en) * | 1965-12-11 | 1969-10-21 | Minigrip Inc | Plastic bag |
US3398876A (en) * | 1967-02-06 | 1968-08-27 | Anderson Bros Mfg Co | Reclosable package |
US3454158A (en) * | 1967-05-17 | 1969-07-08 | Dow Chemical Co | Vacuum package and container therefor |
US3490576A (en) * | 1967-06-12 | 1970-01-20 | Standard Packaging Corp | Air evacuated package |
US3516537A (en) * | 1968-06-27 | 1970-06-23 | Grace W R & Co | Opening device on bags and the like |
US3647485A (en) * | 1968-08-21 | 1972-03-07 | Mayer & Co Inc O | Package and method of making same |
US3792181A (en) * | 1969-09-24 | 1974-02-12 | Mahaffy & Harder Eng Co | Semi-rigid plastic package with reclosable seal |
US3827472A (en) * | 1969-12-05 | 1974-08-06 | Seisan Nipponsha Kk | Reclosable bag |
US3625270A (en) * | 1970-04-17 | 1971-12-07 | Milorad Skendzic | Pilferproof package |
US3676159A (en) * | 1970-04-27 | 1972-07-11 | Grace W R & Co | Thermoformed reusable package having a reclosable lid |
US4273815A (en) * | 1970-06-19 | 1981-06-16 | Oscar Mayer & Co. Inc. | Laminated film packages |
US3740237A (en) * | 1970-11-25 | 1973-06-19 | Mayer & Co Inc O | Continuous method for manufacturing hermetically sealed packages having dual seals |
US3746215A (en) * | 1971-01-29 | 1973-07-17 | A Ausnit | Reclosable sealed pouring bag |
US3910410A (en) * | 1974-03-19 | 1975-10-07 | Continental Can Co | Resealable package |
US3991801A (en) * | 1975-06-23 | 1976-11-16 | Steven Ausnit | Plastic fasteners with connecting web |
US4285376A (en) * | 1977-07-07 | 1981-08-25 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable plastic bag construction made from a one piece extrusion |
US4212337A (en) * | 1978-03-31 | 1980-07-15 | Union Carbide Corporation | Closure fastening device |
US4290467A (en) * | 1979-03-20 | 1981-09-22 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable film plastic bags and method of making same |
US4367742A (en) * | 1979-05-29 | 1983-01-11 | Murray Ornstein | Ostomy bag |
US4246288A (en) * | 1979-08-09 | 1981-01-20 | W. R. Grace & Co. | Reclosable package |
US4337889A (en) * | 1980-02-06 | 1982-07-06 | Talon, Inc. | Reclosable bag with slide fastener |
US4382513A (en) * | 1981-02-06 | 1983-05-10 | W. R. Grace & Co., Cryovac Div. | Packages having readily peelable seals |
US4427705A (en) * | 1981-05-15 | 1984-01-24 | Tec, Inc. | Commestible package |
US4603537A (en) * | 1982-11-12 | 1986-08-05 | Formost Packaging Machines, Inc. | Method for making a bag with a bag mouth closure |
US4617683A (en) * | 1984-01-30 | 1986-10-14 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable bag, material, and method of and means for making same |
US4578813A (en) * | 1984-06-11 | 1986-03-25 | Minigrip Incorporated | Bag and reclosable separable fastener assembly providing both closing alignment facility and differential separation resistance |
US4875587A (en) * | 1985-02-21 | 1989-10-24 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Easy open shrinkable laminate |
US4729476A (en) * | 1985-02-21 | 1988-03-08 | W.R. Grace & Co., Cryovac Div. | Easy open shrinkable laminate |
US4637063A (en) * | 1985-03-04 | 1987-01-13 | Kcl Corporation | Reclosable bag with sealed laminated liner and method |
US4736450A (en) * | 1985-11-20 | 1988-04-05 | Minigrip, Inc. | Gusseted bags with reclosure features |
US4637061A (en) * | 1985-12-20 | 1987-01-13 | Riese J Richard | Specimen, sample collection and transport container |
US4823961A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1989-04-25 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package |
US5005707A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1991-04-09 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package |
US4782951A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1988-11-08 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package and method of making reclosable package |
US5107658A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1992-04-28 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Method of making a reclosable package |
US5014856A (en) * | 1986-03-20 | 1991-05-14 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package |
US4698954A (en) * | 1986-07-25 | 1987-10-13 | The Dow Chemical Company | Guide for zippered film in a form, fill and seal packaging machine |
US4786190A (en) * | 1986-08-11 | 1988-11-22 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable package having outer reclosable closure and inner non-reclosable closure |
US4759642A (en) * | 1986-08-11 | 1988-07-26 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable bag especially suitable for cereal packaging, and method |
US4777054A (en) * | 1986-11-06 | 1988-10-11 | Perfect Holdings, Ltd. | Easy open package |
US5024044A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1991-06-18 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Process for producing an easily opened package |
US4859514A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1989-08-22 | W. R. Grace & Co. | Laminate for an easily opened package |
US4901505A (en) * | 1988-02-12 | 1990-02-20 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Method of making a package having peelable film |
US5050736A (en) * | 1988-07-12 | 1991-09-24 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Reclosable package |
US4966470A (en) * | 1989-02-24 | 1990-10-30 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Tamper-evident, reclosable, flexible packages |
US4923309A (en) * | 1989-02-27 | 1990-05-08 | Illinois Tool Works | Tamper-evident package |
US5456928A (en) * | 1989-06-30 | 1995-10-10 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Tamper-evident, flexible, reclosable package |
US5246720A (en) * | 1990-03-21 | 1993-09-21 | Buchko Raymond G | Reclosable package and method of making same |
US5445838A (en) * | 1990-04-05 | 1995-08-29 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Peelable and resealable package for thinly sliced meats and the like |
US5395632A (en) * | 1990-04-05 | 1995-03-07 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Packaging of thinly sliced meats |
US5405629A (en) * | 1990-04-05 | 1995-04-11 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Multi-seal reclosable flexible package for displaying thinly sliced food products |
US5582853A (en) * | 1990-04-05 | 1996-12-10 | Kraft Foods, Inc. | Multi-seal recloseable flexible package for displaying thinly sliced food products |
US5023121A (en) * | 1990-04-12 | 1991-06-11 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Coextruded film with peelable sealant |
US5074416A (en) * | 1990-12-14 | 1991-12-24 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Package with recloseable board seal |
US5924795A (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1999-07-20 | Kraft Foods, Inc. | Tamper-evident, reclosable, flexible packages |
US5118203A (en) * | 1991-04-19 | 1992-06-02 | T W Kutter, Inc. | Resealable packages and method and apparatus for producing same |
US5604000A (en) * | 1995-01-18 | 1997-02-18 | Reynolds Consumer Products Inc. | Heat-sealable peelable composition |
US5770249A (en) * | 1995-06-12 | 1998-06-23 | Sara Lee Corporation | Meat product package and method of forming same |
US5820904A (en) * | 1995-06-12 | 1998-10-13 | Sara Lee Corporation | Meat product package and method of forming same |
US6270257B1 (en) * | 1997-04-11 | 2001-08-07 | Innoflex Incorporated | Reclosable bag with profile strip fastener assembly having improved opening feature |
US20030072852A1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2003-04-17 | Sargento Foods Inc. | Resealable bag for filling with food product(s) and method |
US20030096042A1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2003-05-22 | Sargento Foods Inc. | Resealable bag for filling with food product (s) and method |
US6360513B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2002-03-26 | Sargento Foods Inc. | Resealable bag for filling with food product(s) and method |
US20040058039A1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2004-03-25 | Aaron Strand | Resealable bag for filling with food product(s) and method |
US20010017947A1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2001-08-30 | Sargento Foods Inc. | Resealable bag for filling with food product (s) and method |
US6499878B1 (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2002-12-31 | Pactiv Corporation | Reclosable packages with barrier properties |
US6347885B1 (en) * | 2000-01-18 | 2002-02-19 | Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. | Reclosable package having a zipper closure, slider device and tamper-evident structure |
US6474866B2 (en) * | 2000-01-18 | 2002-11-05 | Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. | Reclosable package having a zipper closure, slider device and tamper-evident structure |
US6461043B1 (en) * | 2000-05-24 | 2002-10-08 | Colgate Palmolive Company | Reclosable bag |
US20020081043A1 (en) * | 2000-12-26 | 2002-06-27 | Bruno Edward C. | Plastic bag with easy open and easy close profiles |
US6630237B2 (en) * | 2001-02-05 | 2003-10-07 | Cryovac, Inc. | Peelably sealed packaging |
US6712510B2 (en) * | 2002-04-26 | 2004-03-30 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Slider zipper package with wide mouth opening |
US20040026423A1 (en) * | 2002-08-08 | 2004-02-12 | Pharmacia Corporation | Reclosable package having an accessible zipper and a method for making the same |
US20040151811A1 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2004-08-05 | Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc. | Double sealed pizza package |
US7247329B2 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2007-07-24 | Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc. | Double sealed pizza package and method of making |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130283736A1 (en) * | 2007-03-27 | 2013-10-31 | Kraft Foods Group Brands Llc | Reclosable Multi-Compartment Package |
DE202015103103U1 (en) * | 2015-06-12 | 2016-09-15 | Cofresco Frischhalteprodukte Gmbh & Co. Kg | packaging |
EP3103735A1 (en) * | 2015-06-12 | 2016-12-14 | Cofresco Frischhalteprodukte GmbH & Co. KG | Packaging |
US20190062031A1 (en) * | 2017-08-30 | 2019-02-28 | Bemis Company, Inc. | Thermoformed Tray for Food Products |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2006119089A3 (en) | 2007-11-15 |
WO2006119089A2 (en) | 2006-11-09 |
US7604828B2 (en) | 2009-10-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7604828B2 (en) | Easy-open sausage package | |
US7963413B2 (en) | Tamper evident resealable closure | |
AU2013257493B2 (en) | Packaging | |
US6318894B1 (en) | Resealable flexible packages having hook design tear line | |
US9205967B2 (en) | Resealable packaging for food products and method of manufacturing | |
JP3828396B2 (en) | Resealable plastic bag that remains proof of opening | |
US4944603A (en) | Reclosable package with encompassing tamper-evident band | |
US20150016756A1 (en) | Packaging and method of packaging | |
EP1288139B1 (en) | Package for packing food products and method of packing food products | |
MXPA04002201A (en) | Bag having reclosable seal and associated methods. | |
EP1318082B1 (en) | Easy-opening, reclosable flexible container | |
US20160251135A1 (en) | Recloseable Flexible Packages | |
US5002781A (en) | Bacon/meat package | |
AU2019200812B2 (en) | Food package having a reclosable opening feature and method of opening, removing a food product and reclosing a reclosable food package | |
AU2013265394A1 (en) | Package and method for producing the package | |
CN107278196A (en) | Packing box | |
GB2526547A (en) | Sheet for forming a package | |
JPWO2021214149A5 (en) |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONAGRA FOODS PACKAGED FOODS COMPANY, INC., ILLINO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TAYLOR, GUY R.;SIMPSON, RODNEY J.;REEL/FRAME:016527/0722 Effective date: 20050502 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC., NEBRASKA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CONAGRA FOODS PACKAGED FOODS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:023198/0141 Effective date: 20070528 Owner name: CONAGRA FOODS PACKAGED FOODS, LLC, NEBRASKA Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:CONAGRA FOODS PACKAGED FOODS COMPANY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023198/0098 Effective date: 20070528 |
|
CC | Certificate of correction | ||
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.) |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20171020 |